If you needed to have life-saving surgery, would you entrust the job to the first doctor you met without question? No, I didn’t think so. You’d want to know their qualifications and skills, their success rate and you’d want to feel trust and rapport with them. What if you had a few hundred thousand dollars burning a hole in your pocket to invest – would you hand it over to the first financial planner you met to invest on your behalf without learning about their strategies, results and experience? No, I didn’t think so.

Your home or other properties are often one of the largest assets you own. When the time comes to sell, hiring a real estate agent should involve some careful thought and consideration.

Today, property owners can be inundated with solicitations from real estate salespeople via their mailbox, social media, email or even at the coffee shop. In South Georgian Bay, there are over 500 salespeople competing for the approximately 3800 properties listed for sale in our area each year. A number of these people may be inactive or dabbling in the business part-time but still, it’s a crowded field.

How NOT To Choose A Sales Representative

Often people resort to dealing with a friend or family member and others, list with an agent they met at an open house or during a property showing. This is a risky strategy – just like the doctor and financial planner scenario above. What you need is a sound business strategy for finding a great representative that will do the very best job for you in protecting your assets, dreams and interests.

I think referrals and recommendations are a good first step however, I wouldn’t stop there. I’ve seen lots of posts on social media like Facebook where someone asks for a recommendation of a “good agent” and they’ll get over 100 replies. I look at the names put forward and shake my head – many are dabblers who do one deal a year, some are retired or out of business – you get the idea. People will recommend their family or friends regardless of their skills and qualifications.

Some people call the agent who has the most FOR SALE signs in the area. Hmm. If they are “for sale,” then they are not SOLD. This requires further digging.

How You SHOULD Choose A Sales Representative

Ask for recommendations but go a step further and ask for specific examples or evidence of success that have led to the referral. It’s always a good idea to interview 3 people for the job as you’ll learn something from each one. Notice the word, interview? This is the time to really dig deep and find out about a candidate’s skills, experience, track record and understanding of the market. Knowing what I know now, I put together a list of 21 very powerful interview questions that will get you the answers you need. (Let me know if you’d like a copy.)

When a candidate is being interviewed, is their presentation all about their company and their awards or is it about you and your needs? While there is some merit in the first two, there is far more value in knowing how YOUR needs will be addressed.

Ask specific questions about how the salesperson will market your property and why their strategy is important. You need to ask about their track record – for example, what percentage of their listings have sold over the past 5 years, what percentage of asking price did they sell for and how long were they on the market? An able and competent sales rep will have this information at their fingertips.

Does the person have testimonials and references you can review and do they have past clients who would be willing to offer a reference?

If the person has a “team,” what does that mean? Whom will you be dealing with and what is their personal involvement?

Here’s a big one: Don’t base your decision on the commission rate offered because cheapest doesn’t mean best. You get what you pay for in all things in life. For example, a broker offering a discounted rate may not offer a competitive selling commission to other agents which could affect showing activity. It may mean the Broker is reducing their marketing expenses to make up the difference. A great REALTOR® will be worth every penny of their fee.

Another biggie: Don’t base your decision on which person tells you the highest price for listing your home. The market determines the value of your home and listing too high may mean no sale at all and listing too low may mean leaving money on the table. The determination of what price your home should be listed for sale at depends on a comparative market analysis of what comparable sales have recently sold for. The candidate who provides you with the most information about this as well as general market conditions and a solid interpretation of the data will allow YOU to set the right asking price.

Biggest of All: Do you have rapport and trust with the person you think will do the best job for you? Real estate is personal and fraught with emotional and life impacts. It’s really important that you feel great about the person you choose to represent you and trust 100% that they have your best interests at the forefront at all times.

The bottom line is that business is business and it is really important to interview potential salespeople thoughtfully to make sure you find the best person for the job.

Pricing Your Home To Sell

A realistic asking price will help to sell your home quickly and for top dollar. By properly pricing your home, you ensure that the gap between the asking and selling price is small and that there will be a greater likelihood of competing offers. Your home will also maintain its ‘marketability’ for a longer period of time before people start to say,”That home has been for sale forever. What’s wrong with it?”

A house that is priced 10% over its actual market value is many times less likely to sell in the initial 30 days of marketing than one priced within 5% of its true value. Not only will an over-priced home take longer to sell, it is also likely to sell for less than it’s actual value. This is due to the “discount” often associated with properties that have been on the market for a longer than average time.

It should be pointed out that recommended listing prices are based on historical sales and current market conditions. It is always difficult to walk the fine line between getting the most for a property while at the same time ensuring your asking price is competitive enough to attract serious offers.

How you feel about testing the market will determine how much higher than the current selling prices of similar properties you’ll wish to ask for your home. You can always start at a higher price than the market is currently bearing and then, if necessary, reduce your price at a future date. The drawback to this is that it could take longer than normal to sell and you could end up helping to sell other similar homes as they may look comparably less expensive than yours.

This is where the experience and knowledge of a good REALTOR® is invaluable. REALTORS® spend a lot of time and energy making sure they know their local market inside and out. They keep their finger on the pulse of the market and have the resources, connections and ability to keep you up-to-date with its constant changes. They know all of the properties currently for sale in your area and are literally your best resource for determining and getting the highest price possible. Marg is one of the very few people in the area who has her certification as a Market Value Appraiser – Residential, or MVA for short.

The Main Factors That Affect Market Value Are…

Location:

Availability of community amenities, such as public transportation, parks, stores, churches and schools

The best way of establishing an accurate range of value for your property is to have Marg prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for you. This will give you a detailed and accurate overview of the current market.

Market Conditions and the Economy:

number of homes currently on the market

number of people looking to buy

the state of the local and national economy

current mortgage rates

Market Conditions and the Value of Your Home

No matter the condition or desirability of your home, its value will be affected by current market conditions. Here are the various conditions you may encounter and how they will affect you:

Balanced Market:

The number of homes on the market is equal to the number of Buyers (supply equals demand). In this market, prices are stable and homes sell within a reasonable period of time. It is a calm atmosphere with Buyers having a satisfactory number of homes from which to choose.

Sellers Market:

The number of Buyers exceeds the number of homes on the market (demand greater than supply). In this market prices are increasing and homes sell quickly. As a Seller you will probably have more negotiating power and obtain a higher selling price for your property. Unfortunately, you will be on the other side of the fence when purchasing your next home.

Buyers Market:

The supply of homes exceeds the number of Buyers (supply greater than demand). In this market, prices tend to drop and the homes stay on the market longer, thus your home may take longer to sell and you will have less negotiating power in terms of the selling price. Fortunately you will be in the driver’s seat when making an offer on your next home.

Preparing And Staging Your Home For Sale

When you decide to sell your home, the most important thing to remember is that now you are not only a homeowner—you are a home Seller. You will be competing with other resale homes and brand new model homes for a Buyer’s attention. You also want to see your home sell for the best possible price as quickly as possible. Taking the time to prepare it for sale will pay off in results.

Research has shown that most Buyers make a real decision about a house purchase in the first eleven to fifteen seconds of seeing a property. By then they will already have developed a perception of your property that will colour their feelings for the rest of the showing and perhaps dramatically affect their perceived value of the property.

The decision to buy a house is not solely based on rational factors such as price, location and accessibility to services. It is also an emotional choice. It is a search for a home, a place in which one will find comfort, security and happiness, a place one would want to settle down and live in.

Now is the time to think of your home as a theatre. You are putting on a performance, much like staging a play. The scenery must be right, the lighting perfect, the audience comfortable. Marg has expertise in helping you set the stage and in making it easy for prospective Buyers to imagine themselves happily living in your home.

Here are some low-cost, high-return upgrades to improve the perceived value of your house or condominium:

“Love at First Sight….”

Plant flowers, weed and edge gardens. Mulch can look great too

Mow lawn and trim hedges and shrubs

Clean driveway and sidewalks of dirt, leaves or snow

Water the lawn extensively, well in advance of selling

Remove old lawn ornaments, toys and playsets

Clean and repair rain gutters, missing shingles, shutters and siding

Touch up exterior paint or pressure wash if needed

Clean out garage

Pick up any litter

Clean the front door and add a coat of paint if necessary

Shine up the mailbox and house number

Repair any broken fence boards

“Cleanliness is a Virtue….”

Make mirrors glitter, light fixtures shine and appliances sparkle

Remove fridge magnets, put away small appliances and move litter boxes out of the kitchen

Vacuum, wash and/or polish all floors

Clean and freshen bathrooms

Clean/shampoo all carpets

Clean all windows, walls, doors and trim

Clean out the fireplace

Think about what a model home looks like – clean, uncluttered, new home aroma, neutral décor

Have a clean floor mat at the entry

Pay extra special attention to the kitchen, bathrooms and master bedroom

“This Place Looks Neat & Tidy…”

Clear all countertops

De-clutter all heavy traffic areas

Store surplus furniture to reduce feeling crowded

Put seasonal clothing into storage

Clear halls and stairs of clutter

Make all closets neat & tidy (and only half-full, even if this means moving items to another storage area)

Repair or replace tiles/seals/caulking/grout around bathtubs and sinks

Replace burnt-out light bulbs/install brighter bulbs

Clean furnace and humidifier

Repair any other minor flaws

“The Presentation”

Turn on all lights

Open all drapes in daytime

Take out the garbage daily, make all the beds, clear dishes away and ensure bathrooms are spotless

Play quiet background music or nothing at all. Quiet suggests peace and serenity.

Turn on air-conditioning or light fireplace

Foster a welcoming aroma and eliminate offensive odours from pets, smoke or cooking.

Establish a focal point in each room such as fresh flowers on a dining table, a charming area rug, red geraniums on the kitchen window sill.

Keep pets outside during showings (or, better yet, at a friend’s)

Have as few people in the house as possible. If you can, be absent during any showings as potential Buyers often feel awkward and rush through if they think they are inconveniencing the owner.

11 Pitfalls To Avoid When Selling Your Own Home

Pricing Incorrectly

Every Seller wants to realize as much money as possible when selling their home, but a listing that is priced too high often nets the Seller less than the fair market value. Many times Sellers base their pricing on how much they paid for or invested in, their home. This can be an expensive mistake. If your home is not priced competitively, Buyers will reject it in favour of better values. At the same time, the Buyers who should be looking at your house will not see it because it is priced above their range. The result is increased market time, and even when the price is eventually lowered, the Buyers are wary because “nobody wants to buy a house that nobody else wants.” The end result is lower offers.

Failing to Showcase the Home

Buyers look for homes, not houses, and they buy a home they could move right in to! Owners who fail to make necessary repairs and keep it clean and neat chase Buyers away as rapidly as REALTORS® can bring them in. Buyers are often poor judges of the cost of repairs and usually build in a large margin for error when offering on such a property. Sellers are usually better off doing the work themselves ahead of time. If you were selling a car, you would wash it, or maybe even detail it to get the highest price. Houses are no different.

Not Vacating Your Home During Showings

Buying a home is an emotional decision. People like to try on a house and see if it is comfortable for them. It’s difficult to do that if you follow them around pointing out every improvement that you have made. It may even have the opposite effect by making them feel like they are intruding on your private space. Buyers will feel more comfortable asking questions without you at home.

Mistaking Lookers for Buyers

For Sale by Owners often get more activity than houses listed with a REALTOR®. REALTORS® will only bring qualified Buyers, and these will be fewer than if you open your front door to everyone who walks down the street. A qualified Buyer is one who is ready, willing and able to buy your home. Many potential Buyers may have a house to sell first, or may need to save some more, or may have credit that needs fixing. When everything is in place, that’s when they go out looking with a REALTOR®.

Choosing the Wrong REALTOR®

It’s likely that you don’t interview people very often, and yet in order to find the REALTOR® who is right for you, you may need to interview several. The quality of your home selling experience is dependent upon your skill at selecting the person best qualified. It’s peculiar that in the real estate business, someone with many successfully closed transactions usually costs the same as someone who is inexperienced. Bringing that experience to bear on your transaction could mean a higher price at the negotiating table, selling in less time, and with minimal hassles. We’ve prepared a valuable checklist of 30 powerful and insightful questions to ask a REALTOR® before you sign anything.

Not Knowing Your Rights and Obligations

Real Estate law is extensive and complex. The contract for sale is a legally binding document. An improperly written contract can cause the sale to fall through or cost you thousands of dollars in repairs, inspections, and remedies for items included or excluded in the offer. You must be certain of repairs and closing costs for which you are responsible.

Signing a Listing Contract with No Way Out

Many times a REALTOR® will have good intentions about marketing your house, but circumstances can change. Make certain your REALTOR® allows you to cancel your listing contract if they do not perform as promised. Get a guarantee of performance in writing when signing a listing contract.

Limiting the Exposure of a Property

The two most obvious marketing tools – open houses and classified ads – are only moderately effective. Surprisingly, less than 10% of homes are sold at an open house. REALTORS® use them to attract future prospects, not to sell your house! Advertising studies show that less than 9% of people purchased their home because they called on an ad. The right REALTOR® will employ a broad spectrum of marketing activities, emphasizing the ones (s)he believes will work best for you and your particular home.

Believing that a Bank Mortgage Appraisal or Provincial Tax Assessment is the Market Value of your Home

An appraisal is an opinion for a certain purpose. If a lender wants to lend you the money, they are motivated to have the appraisal come in high. Ask your REALTOR® to provide you with all the current market data in your area, then decide on your list price together.

Over-improving the Home Prior to Selling

Sellers often unwittingly spend thousands of dollars doing the wrong upgrades to their home prior to attempting to sell in the mistaken belief that they will recoup this cost. If you are upgrading your home for your personal enjoyment – fine. But if you are thinking of selling, you should be aware that only certain upgrades are cost effective. Always consult with your REALTOR® before committing to upgrading your home.

Failing to take the First Offer Seriously

Often Sellers believe that the first offer received will be one of many to come. There is a tendency to not take it seriously and to hold out for a higher price. This is especially true if the offer comes in soon after the home is placed on the market. Experienced REALTORS® know that more often than not the first Buyer ends up being the best Buyer, and many, many Sellers have had to accept far less money than the initial offer later in the selling process. The home is most saleable early in the marketing period, and the amount Buyers are willing to pay diminishes with the length of time a property has been on the market. Many Sellers would give anything to have back that prospective Buyer who made the first, and only, offer.

Should We Buy First Or Sell First?

This is a common dilemma and one of the most common questions I’m asked by existing homeowners. There are no simple answers to this question as it depends on your own personal circumstances and comfort levels. The best way to consider your options is to weigh out the pros and cons of each possible approach.

Sell First

Sell First Pros

You know exactly how much money you have from the sale of your existing home and can comfortably choose your next home’s price range and negotiate accordingly.

You are in a position to make offers that are not subject to the sale of another property and this tends to be attractive to Sellers. If a property pops up that is perfect or extremely well priced, you can potentially be the first in the door with a strong offer.

You have more negotiating power. When Sellers turn down or counter an offer that is conditional upon the sale of a home, they usually believe that the Buyer will come back with a more serious offer if and when the Buyers’ home has sold. Sellers give much more consideration to unconditional offers since they usually realize the Buyer does have other options and may move on and pursue a different property if their final offer is rejected.

Sell First Cons

If the right home is not on the market when you sell, and if nothing comes up before your closing date, you may have to find alternative accommodation until something appropriate comes along.

Buy First

Buy First Pros

If you are only interested in moving to a very specific property, buying first ensures you do not miss out on that one opportunity.

If a unique or under-priced property comes on the market and you do not think it will last long, snapping up the deal ensures someone else does not buy it out from under you.

Buy First Cons

If your current home does not sell quickly enough, you may end up having to finance both homes and carry the extra debt until you do sell. Don’t forget that also means insurance, taxes, utilities, maintenance and other household expenses.

You do not know what the final selling price of your current home will be. If your budget is tight, this could affect your financial decisions. While you can get appraisals and market evaluations of your current home’s value, nothing is for sure until you actually get an offer.

This is an extremely risky option for anyone on a tight budget!

Using The MLS® To Sell Your Home

When selling your home you want to make sure as many potential Buyers as possible are aware of your property. The best way to ensure that “maximum exposure” is through the services of a REALTOR® and the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®).

REALTORS® are expertly trained and licensed in the field of real estate, who service the needs of the public in the buying and selling of homes. All are members of local real estate boards and have access to the MLS® — an extensive network of listings across the country.

What is MLS®?
The MLS® is a central registry of properties used by REALTORS® to match Buyers with homes on the market. MLS® is described as a “cooperative marketing system” to ensure maximum exposure of properties for sale.

MLS® is a sophisticated computer database of properties indexed by price, location, type of home, number of bedrooms, amenities and so forth. Photos of homes are available online and, most real estate boards have added their MLS® listings to the Internet through www.realtor.ca.

The Advantages For The Consumer
The major benefit of MLS® to consumers is that it allows the REALTOR® to use his or her skills to full advantage. REALTORS® are adept at determining what it is a potential Buyer wants in a home–and a large part of the REALTOR’S® job lies in finding properties that suit these criteria.

With MLS®, a REALTOR® can search the database for homes that suit budgets, location preferences and family requirements, and quickly put together a short list of suitable homes.

Many consumers will find themselves first viewing MLS® material at their REALTOR’S® office to preview potential properties and narrow the list further. When it comes time to view in earnest, they know exactly what homes they want to see, what their options are and what types of properties the market has to offer. Through the MLS®, REALTORS® can literally view details of thousands of homes.

This gives the home Buyer an extraordinary amount of choice and flexibility. The search for homes doesn’t have to involve driving around neighbourhoods looking for “for sale” signs. Nor will it mean relying on homes listed only in newspapers or real estate magazines. With the MLS®, an entire spectrum of available properties is at your REALTOR’S® fingertips.

Even if you’re moving across the country or to a distant part of the province, the MLS® can be used to scout homes in advance, greatly reducing the worry that often comes with relocation.

The bottom line is that what’s good for the Buyer is good for the Seller. This is because the main obstacle for any Seller is to find qualified, motivated Buyers. The only way to overcome this is to match your home to the requirements of as many potential Buyers as possible. Using the MLS® cuts through the complexities, exposes your property to those most likely to purchase it, and makes sure you won’t waste time showing your home to those who aren’t truly interested.

So, when you’ve made the decision to sell, make sure you ask your REALTOR® about an MLS® listing. It could be that your REALTOR® will already know of a number of potential Buyers, but in most cases, an MLS® listing will open up a broader range of interested parties.

Selling Your Own Home

I’ve met many people over my career who thought it would be easy to sell their own home privately. Some have been successful but, according to industry surveys, about 70% end up listing it for sale with a REALTOR® in the end. Of those who have had success, did they really save any money?

If you think about it, most Buyers will expect the price of a home that is being sold privately, to be discounted by the value of the commission. In that case, the Seller may not have saved any money at all. Secondly, the Seller will incur expenses in marketing their home and in completing the transaction. The biggest concern though is the risk of making costly mistakes.

Selling your home is a complex procedure, involving potentially large sums of money and stringent legal requirements. It requires a tremendous depth of knowledge and experience, as well as a substantial amount of time to follow up on every detail promptly and properly. A professional REALTOR® has these qualifications and experience and is committed to spending the time and money it takes to help you sell your home successfully so you can focus on the things you do best and enjoy the most.

If you are thinking about selling your home alone, ask yourself these questions:

Will you really “save the real estate commission?”

No. Most Buyers will see a bargain. They assume you will sell for a discount because “you don’t have to pay the real estate commission.”

Do you have the time?

Without a REALTOR’S® support, you’re the one who will have to write and pay for the ads to market your property, remain available day and evening for calls from prospects, run open houses on weekends and show your property on short notice, screen potential Buyers, fill out all the paperwork and do the dozens of other things required to sell a home. Throughout the transaction, your Broker is your partner. Last-minute contingencies concerning the transaction or anything else not completed before closing can be smoothly managed by your Broker.

How will you reach potential Buyers?

Without a REALTOR®, you will not have access to an extensive network of potential Buyers. This network includes the MLS® or Multiple Listing Service®, where your home is listed for all REALTORS® to see, and sell! Now the MLS® is part of an international database, so your Buyer could come from anywhere in the world. A REALTOR® is in constant touch with a wide array of professionals and consumers, a referral network, all of whom might send the right Buyer to your door.

Do you really know the true market value of your home?

Setting the right selling price is critical. It requires extensive knowledge and training, as well as access to the sophisticated market analysis developed over years of experience. If you set the price too high, prospective Buyers will be frightened off; too low, and you could leave thousands of dollars on the negotiating table. A REALTOR® knows the marketplace, knows your neighbourhood and is fully qualified to prepare a detailed market analysis. Plus, a Broker knows the competition and what to expect from Buyers. Marg is one of just a few designated REALTORS® in the area who is certified as a Market Value Appraiser – Residential.

Are you ready to “prescreen” every prospect?

Pre-screening prospects is absolutely necessary to weed out the “lookers” from serious Buyers. Do you have the skills and experience to ask the right questions over the phone before you let a prospect visit? How are you going to find out whether they’re really qualified to purchase in your home’s price range? Your broker can help Buyers find the best financing alternatives and quickly pre-qualify and pre-approve them for mortgages, giving Sellers a high degree of security toward closing.

How are you at selling and negotiating?

Understanding a Buyer’s needs, dealing with concerns, and completing the sale successfully through a firm, impartial negotiation are all required. A REALTOR® who knows both her business and the local area is invaluable in taking action to show the Buyer the neighbourhood, competing properties, the special features of your home, the facts about the school system, shopping, etc. Your REALTOR® will negotiate on your behalf and, in doing so, represent your best interests.

Do you have a thick skin?

The emotional investment you have in your home may prevent you from dealing objectively with comments from prospective Buyers. Hearing every comment a prospective Buyer makes about your home could make you defensive and interfere with the sale. And you will encounter Buyers you don’t like personally but must still consider as prospects.

Are you up to date on real estate law?

Selling your home is a complex contractual and legal procedure. You will have to prepare your own legal documents or translate the language in an offer presented from a Buyer.

Most of those who sell their home in Canada do so with the assistance of REALTORS®. Of the few who do try it themselves, most change their minds and end up going with a REALTOR® because the process is too complex, too time-consuming, and too dangerous without the help of a professional.

An old cautionary adage expresses it best for those who feel they can sell their homes without the help of a REALTOR ®: “You can get rid of the broker, but you can’t get rid of the broker’s work.”

AND THEN, there are the other details:

Appeal. Home Sellers don’t fully realize that clearly seeing a home through the eyes of a Buyer dramatically increases the chances of the home selling quickly and at a higher price. Only a REALTOR®’s experience can guide a Seller to properly show a home to its best advantage.

The Internet. Canada ’s public MLS® based website is the most visited real estate website in the country logging millions of hits annually. Properties listed for sale by a REALTOR® appear on this essential site.

Promotion to other REALTORS®. Although often overlooked, this is one of the most important roles a REALTOR® plays. Most Buyers are working with a REALTOR® and it is often the REALTOR® who draws a property to a Buyer’s attention.

A professional yard sign. A sign can funnel Buyers’ calls right to the qualified real estate professional with the answers they need.

A flexible flyer. A flyer about your home can be distributed many different ways, to potential Buyers as well as other brokers.

Tours. Your broker can arrange tours of your home for top-producing sales REALTORS® who would benefit from seeing your home first-hand.

Open Houses are arranged by your broker for real estate professionals, both in our RE/MAX brokerage and other brokerages as well.

A direct mailer. This can be launched with “Just Listed” cards to your neighbours and nearby move-up and rental neighbourhoods.

Classified Ads. Ads might also be taken out featuring your home. Writing and placing these is an art in itself.

Ongoing Information. Your broker will tell you about marketing conditions and the competition on a regular basis. This can keep you up-to-date with the market so you are prepared to make decisions.

Multiple offer expertise. If more than one Buyer makes an offer on your home, it takes an immense amount of know-how and integrity to handle the transaction properly.

Organization of closing details. Following through on the closing arrangements and handling any unexpected issues that crop up are all part of the REALTORS® expertise.

Relationship. Your REALTOR® will be there for you to help in finding another property or in locating a top notch out-of-town REALTOR ®. You build a relationship for down the road if you need advice on financing, property value, benefits of improvements and so on. The sale is often just the beginning.

Selling Posts From Marg’s Blog

The stats are in for October for the Southern Georgian Bay including Clearview, Blue Mountain, Collingwood, Grey Highlands, Meaford and Wasaga Beach. The image below captures an overview of the whole region, however, there are significant variances in data from one...

The other day, I was showing some really gorgeous homes in Collingwood and Blue Mountain the $1.5 million to $3 million dollar range and it hit me – birds of a feather really do flock together. Except when they don’t. The most stunning home I showed was likely the...

The answer to this question is, what do you mean? The market has changed from a year ago so the frenzy and mad run-up of prices has stopped. Having said that, certain sectors of the market are still experiencing multiple offers and sales over the asking price so...

An owner has a right to sell their property at any time but it is always a good idea to ensure that the tenants and owners understand their responsibilities and rights. The three most common areas where we see difficulties often lie in the rules around marketing,...

Feeling confused? Scratching your head about the market? You're not alone. This is a strange time in the real estate market here in the Collingwood – Blue Mountain area. Not a day goes by that I don’t hear another REALTOR® say things like, “I don’t know what to make...

The treasures that we all keep in our homes, remind us of special moments in time: good or bad, exciting or poignant. Looking at these mementoes or touching them, transcends time and space. They're important keepsakes that remind us that we lived a life. When we...